President’s Notes

From the President

By Terry Likens There is another team tournament in the books. This is the second time I was on a winning team and Jill's first time. We were surprised to find out I was going to play fourth board. People wanted Jill to play round 5 for their team since she was not playing. She asked why she couldn't play on the super team. People felt I needed a 4th board prize to go with my 1st and 2nd board ones. I was happy with another 2nd board prize. I might think about a 3rd board prize but only because no one in the family has won one. For the record I have not played lower than board 2. I was going to play board 3 one year. Our second board could not play at the last moment (jail time). The main thing we did was knock the other Rapid City team out of a tie for 1st. Last year I was going to play 2nd board but someone canceled at the last minute. I told Sandor we would pay his entry and SDCA fees if he played for us. The birth of his daughter the week before the tournament gave us the chance. I got in contact with Dan Schmidt at the last minute. That is how I had a winning team. The pep talk Sandor gave Jill before the last round helped. He told her: “You win and I win. We will win the match.” I will also remember 2 years ago when we won 2nd board and 4th board prizes by the narrowest of tie-breaks. I think that was the only time a team won 2 board prizes and finished lower than 2nd. I hope to see you at the Closed. Scholastic Chess is starting again. I hope you are helping your local school clubs. I am going to see if I can help a high school this year.

Alethea Ann Kustar “Thea” was born July 6, 2007 in Rapid City, SD to Ann and IM Sandor Kustar. Her weight was 7 lbs 6oz! She is an absolute sweetie and loves to smile – sleeping nicely most of the way through the night too so Daddy can play chess in peace! Her brother and sister are: Sophia Louise Kustar born Sept. 28, 2002, and Elias Alexander Kustar born March 3, 2005.